PRODUCTION SAFETY TASK FORCE OVERVIEW AUGUST 28, 2020 2 INTRODUCTION Producers of independent scripted and unscripted content may use these materials as planning companions in conjunction with the June 2020 “The Safe Way Forward” guideline generated by the Director’s Guild of America (“DGA”), the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (“IATSE”), Teamsters and the “Basic Crafts and the Industry White Paper”, which was developed by the Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee TasK Force.1 These materials will be updated periodically as the guidelines described above, scientific data and additional industry guidelines develop (visit https://www.ProducersGuild.org/COVIDProtocols). The following materials are included as guidelines: Summary of COVID-19 Safety Mandates Considerations to include in a Production COVID-Safety Plan. Greenlight / Startup Questions How to assess when and where to greenlight a project. Prepro Recommendations Pre-production recommendations specifically for Producers starting a production during the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. Red Light Protocols How to manage production when a team memBer exhiBits COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, including potentially shutting down and restarting a production. Red Light Protocols Flowchart Red Light Replacement Flowchart Code of Conduct Recommendations to promote a responsiBle and ethical work environment. Health and Safety Dept Description JoB descriptions and requirements for new health and safety positions, including Health and Safety Supervisor and Health and Safety Manager. Sample Health and Safety Dept Structure Budget Considerations Potential Budgetary considerations to account for while ensuring the safety of the production team during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 In addition to the materials cited, the PGA Production Safety TasK Force reviewed over 50 national and international industry protocols in order to create these documents. 3 Notes from the Field Ideas from actual productions to help Producers determine what practices to consider Before starting their own productions. Appendix PGA Production Safety Task Force MemBers and other contributors, as well as links to other resources. 4 DEFINITIONS Producer Unless otherwise noted, the term “Producer” applies to the “Produced By” producer designee on a film or documentary and the “Executive Producer/Showrunner” producer designee on any type of episodic series (streaming, “TV” or Non-Fiction). Production Encompasses pre-prep, prep, Principal photography and post- production. Non-fiction Includes game show/competition shows, sports, structured reality programming, docu-series programming and live events (for broadcast or to tape). Shooting Company Consists of cast and team members who must access a set or shooting location when cast may not be in proper PPE. COVID-19 The name of the clinical syndrome caused by the virus referred to as SARS-CoV-2. Personal Protective Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause Equipment (“PPE”) serious worKplace injuries and illnesses, including N95, KN95 or medically approved cloth masKs AND face shields or goggles. Uncleared Team Member A team member who tests positive for COVID-19. (“UTM”) Production COVID- The Production-specific infectious disease safety plan that sets Safety Plan forth the guidelines and mandates for worKplace safety. 5 SUMMARY OF COVID-SAFETY MANDATES In accordance with federal, state, AMPTP and union guidelines, before beginning pre-production the production company must have an infectious disease safety plan and have conducted a risK assessment to address ways the COVID-19 hazard will be mitigated on the production. It is recommended that production processes be altered to adapt for COVID-19, rather than adapting COVID-19 processes to existing production practices. This plan is to be communicated to every cast and crew member before beginning worK on a production and employment is contingent on agreement to comply with the plan. The following areas should be specifically addressed for your project in a Production COVID-Safety Plan. Please note that currently SAG-AFTRA requests you submit your plan 6-8 weeks prior to shooting. For more detailed descriptions of each of these areas (1-10), see the following pages: 1. Project Basics. Describe production information relevant to COVID-Safety. 2. Zone System Adherence. Clearly describe your Zone System and how your production will guard against contact between individuals in different zones and maintain separation of untested individuals. 3. Regular Testing. Clearly describe and provide a schedule of your medical screening and testing plans for all cast and crew involved in any day of production worK, including the types of tests and the anticipated lab result turnaround times. 4. Ventilation: Detail size and location of each stage, set, location, office, shop, etc. along with information on outdoor access and existing circulation systems and how hourly ventilation and monitoring procedures will be used to reduce the spread of airborne particles. 5. Safety Protocols to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19. Detail your protocols for how physical distancing will be enforced, PPE will be used, proper hygiene will be taught, and the sanitization safety processes that will be in place. Include how strict physical distancing will be enforced, how on-set video monitoring will worK and how you will monitor and enforce the use of appropriate PPE at all times. 6. New Positions/Responsibilities. Identify your Health and Safety Supervisor (“HSS”) and their credentials, and, on larger productions, detail the health and safety team or department that will oversee the COVID-Safety Plan implementation and enforcement, including specialized security and sanitation departments or companies. 7. 10-hour shooting days. The plan should reflect ways in which the production company will reduce the shooting hours. Provide a detailed schedule and general cast and crew call times that anticipate a maximum 10-hour shooting day so cast and crew immune systems stay strong and to allow time for monitoring, cleaning, and protocols that reduce transmission risK to be completed. 6 8. Remote Working and Videoconferencing. The plan should include a description of how the production company will enable physical distancing by providing means for remote worK. The plan should also include remote worKing protocols for post-production worK such as screenings, notes sessions, and spotting sessions. Include a list of all remote team members and/or departments and their anticipated schedules and at-home worK protocols. 9. No Set Visits. Describe your “no set visits” policy and how you will communicate these policies to team members. Document any anticipated exceptions and protocols for any non-team member who must be allowed to visit production. 10. Communication Procedures: Provide vendor/instructor information and schedules for team member trainings and daily COVID-Safety meetings. Include Red Light Protocols and Hot Lines provided to team members. 7 1. PROJECT BASICS Detail specific project information including the following: What type of content is being produced (e.g., feature film, episodic, narrative, docu-series)? Where is the project intended to be filmed? How many locations/company moves? When is the project intended to be filmed and how long is the shoot? How long is prep and post? When are reading(s) scheduled? And is anyone required in person? How much is expected to be filmed on a sound stage? What is the expected size of the cast and crew? Identify any dancers, singers, minors, animal actors, stunts. Identify any VO, ADR/Looping and indicate whether these performers will be filmed at home or in studio. How many of the cast and crew will be local hires vs. travelling to location? Detail travel and accommodations for local crew and distant hires. Detail COVID insurance policies and/or financiers’ commitment to COVID-related claims. 2. THE ZONE SYSTEM Zones must be established and strictly adhered to in order to guard against contact between those individuals in the main Shooting Company and all other individuals on production. All team members should be notified in writing as to which zone they are in prior to reporting to work. Producers should implement a color-coded system for easily identifying a team member’s zone. This can be with colored face masKs, wrist bands or color-coded ID badges (e.g., Zone A could be green, and Zone B could be red.) ZONE A Zone A is any area where any cast member is present, whether worKing or getting ready. As cast moves throughout the production footprint, the zone may expand or contract. It is restricted to a small, limited number of individuals who need access to the set and to cast members who will be the most vulnerable when out of PPE or when physically distancing is impossible (e.g., when the cast member is being touched up, mic’ed and/or is performing while the camera is rolling). Zone A individuals who are not cast must be in proper PPE AT ALL TIMES. The Zone A Group may: • be as small or as large as necessary • function for only a limited time • include controlled points of access between different Zone A’s. Proper use of PPE and stringent physical distancing practices must be observed and enforced within Zone A by all crew members in Zone A. 8 Only cast members may remove PPE. This is restricted to when they are on camera or camera- ready (e.g. it is understood that some cast members may not be able to wear PPE after makeup, even when they are not on camera.) Only those crew in Zone A who are approved in advance by Producer or HSS may invade the social distancing limits while the cast member is not in proper PPE (e.g., on-set make-up, hair, costumer). But to be clear, the Zone A crew member who is approaching the cast member, must always be in proper PPE (mask, face shield, gloves). Zone A may be broKen down into Sub Zones to improve the safety and operations of the production.